At that time, rubber tile was installed in the Madison High School gym as part of a capital improvements project, but later removed due to contractor error, according to a district news release

Thompson told district investigators he had permission to take the roughly 700 square feet of tile, valued at $8,000 to $9,000.

Thompson, 51, had an annual salary in 2011 of $115,491. He was the second-highest-paid principal in the district.

“The principal maintained that he had permission from a contractor to take the flooring,” district spokeswoman Aubrey Chancellor said. “However, up to this point in the investigation, we have not been able to corroborate that.”

She said Thompson also denied stealing the sun shades.

“He said that they were at his house for district use,” she said.

Both the flooring — which had been installed in Thompson's house — and the sun shades were returned to the district.